Newton Fest provides fun, song, insights

When the City of Newton first started to form as a town, there was no talk about pre-Civil War architecture. That’s because the American Civil War hadn’t even happened yet.

A historical celebration, commemorating a section of downtown Newton as recently having earned a designation with the National Register of Historic Places, was one of many activities to take place as part of the Newton Fest over the weekend.

Ridiculous Day, when downtown merchants offer “ridiculous” prices; live music, a car show, a play, alumni events, a 5k run and the 13th annual Iowa Sculpture festival were all part of the newly named festival.

Weather predictions led organizers to reschedule Thursday night’s planned Maytag Bowl concert for a date to be determined. Friday, Thunder Nites, a motorcycle event that includes live music, was canceled after the band set to play, Wikid Likir, decided the weather forecast posed too great of a risk.

A middle-school-age pool party was held Friday night at Maytag Pool. Saturday, the weather cooperated much more, and attendees were able to make good use out of the festival’s main day. Ridiculous Day business participants were setting up in the early morning hours; dozens of athletes took to the streets on the east edge of Newton for the Birds & the Bees 5k and Newton High School alumni, ranging from 1939 to the 2010s, converged on NHS for the annual alumni brunch and Hall of Fame induction ceremony.

A package of stories about the alumni brunch will be published in Tuesday’s Newton Daily News.

More than 50 people sat in the Jasper County Courthouse’s main courtroom to hear historical presentations. Larry Hurto used photographs taken in the 1880s to show what some of Newton’s late-19th-century architecture looked like, along with vast history that included gasps and the now-small dollar figures involved in real-estate transactions and construction costs.

Jasper County Board of Supervisors Chairman Denny Carpenter provided tours of the courthouse building, which has its own historic designation.

Not only did he help visitors explore the basement and fourth floor of the 1911 building, but also described renovations to the stained glass of the rotunda, the trim and other parts of the interior, the geothermal heating and cooling that provides a huge cost savings to taxpayers, the way technology has changed in the building and how space is used for storage of records and equipment.

Reenactors also played various figures in Newton history in the courtroom in a lighthearted, costumed representation.

Visitors were able to enjoy various types of food and refreshments — sometimes supporting fundraiser causes with purchases — and enjoyed live music Saturday afternoon and evening. JJ Express played hits such as Eric Clapton’s “After Midnight” as those listening viewed classic-era vehicles, including at least one vintage fire engine. Saturday night, the Omaha-based 80s cover band 3D In Your Face got fans to sing along to such catchy tunes as Warrant’s 1989 hit “Down Boys.”

The Iowa Sculpture Festival, which has been held in Newton throughout its history, drew participants from six states for this year’s two-day event, along with plenty of visitors in town for Newton Fest.

The Newton police and fire departments had a fly-in from the helicopter Mercy One as part of a public safety open house, and performances of “Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” were held at the Newton Community Theatre.

Contact Jason W. Brooks at 641-792-3121 ext. 6532 or jbrooks@newtondailynews.com